Every so often, Eleanor found reasons to linger nearn under the guise of work, her intentions all too obvious.


    "Ms. Shannon, let me show you upstairs," the receptionist greeted Vanessa with a bright smile.


    Vanessa smiled back, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she strode towardn''s private elevator.


    That afternoon, Eleanor attended a meeting at Meridian Dynamics. Just as she exited the restroom, she sawn chatting with Byron Chase outside the conference room.


    Running into him twice in one day-it grated on her nerves.


    Eleanor brushed past the two men and entered the meeting room. Faye nced up from her seat, her hand tightening around the papers in herp. It surprised her that Meridian Dynamics still listed Eleanor as a core technical staff member.


    Momentster,n arrived. Faye''s eyes lit up with anticipation—she was eager to see how Eleanor, the ex-wife, would handle herself.


    Byron began presenting two major recent breakthroughs, and Eleanor listened attentively. Their research still relied heavily on her original theories.


    When the meeting ended, Byron couldn''t help but praise Eleanor''s remarkable work. Ian stood up and walked over to her, extending his hand.


    "Ms. Sutton, thank you for everything you''ve contributed to Meridian Dynamics." Eleanor looked down at his outstretched hand-long, elegant fingers, perfectly bnced between strength and grace.


    She used to love those hands. Now, she could hardly stand the sight of them. Because those same hands had touched the one woman she despised most. She turned away, refusing his handshake.


    Around them, people exchanged startled nces, whispering and specting that Eleanor andn''s divorce must have been far from amicable.


    Faye shot Eleanor a sideways look. What was she acting so high and mighty for? Once Meridian Dynamics'' research paid off, it would be her own sister reaping the rewards.


    Stepping outside, Eleanor realized a sudden downpour had begun. Her car was parked in the open lot, and there was no way to reach it without getting drenched.


    As she turned to head back to the front desk to borrow an umbre, someone stepped beside her and opened one overhead-it wasn.


    "I''ll walk you to your car," he said.


    "That''s not necessary. I was just going to borrow an umbre," Eleanor replied, trying to sidestep him.


    "This is the only umbre at the front desk,”n said matter-of-factly.


    She hesitated, but something about his tone made her believe him.


    Just then, Faye appeared behind them, also without an umbre. She looked atn and asked, "Mr. Goodwin, mind sharing your umbre with me?"


    Not wanting to deal with either of them, Eleanor grabbed her bag and made a dash for her car through the rain.


    By the time she got the door open and climbed inside, soaked to the bone, she nced back to seen holding the umbre for Faye.


    Eleanor started the engine and drove off toward theb.


    Later, both she and Faye arrived at the underground parking garage. Faye noticed Eleanor''s damp hair as she hugged a folder to her chest, a satisfied smile ying on her lips.


    They stepped into the elevator together. Eleanor sneezed, prompting Faye to edge away, as if afraid she''d catch a cold.


    When they reached their floor, Faye hesitated, then turned to Eleanor. "Eleanor, could you do me a favor and keep your distance from Mr. Goodwin from now on?"


    Eleanor blinked, caught off guard, and looked up at her.


    "He''s going to be my future brother-inw, after all. I think I''m justified in warning you on my sister''s behalf." With that, Faye grinned smugly and walked off.


    Eleanor had nothing to say. Vanessa had been lifted up byn since she was eighteen; even when Rnd Yeaton''spany was on the brink of copse,n had stepped in and saved it. Now Faye had been promoted to the inner circle as well.


    It was clearn was doing everything he could for the Yeaton family.


    That evening, Eleanor sat with her daughter at the piano. She listened in surprise


    as Evelyn yed, her skills noticeably improved. "Evelyn, that was wonderful! You''ve gotten so much better."


    "Mom, aren''t I amazing?" Evelyn beamed.


    "Have you been practicing at school?" Eleanor asked, smiling.


    Evelyn nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh. It was Miss Vanessa-wait, no, I practiced by myself."


    Eleanor''s smile faded as she looked at her daughter with gentle seriousness. "Evelyn, tell me the truth. I promise I won''t be upset."


    Evelyn sniffled suddenly, her voice small. "Mom, please don''t be mad. Miss Vanessa taught me at school. I just wanted to y well so you''d like me more.”